Abstract
The paper examines Russian emigree author Ayn Rand's four works of fiction as well as her non-fictional writings in an attempt to examine and explain her influence as one of the leading proponents of Objectivism in the 1940's and the continuing influence of her works today. The paper looks at the influence of Rand's work on the Canadian rock band Rush, whose drummer is a noted fan of Ayn Rand's and singles out the song "2112" which the paper compares with a character in the book "Anthem".

From the Paper
"While the man quoted above is a fictional character, Howard Roark and his ilk have had an amazing impact on the literary world. The Fountainhead, the book from which Roark emerged, has been named the second-greatest book ever written by the Modern Library, a division of Random House. In fact, Atlas Shrugged, another book by the same author, was on the very top of the list, and the works Anthem and We the Living were seventh and eighth, respectively (The Modern Library 1). One may ask who this author is, how they had such clout in the world of literature that every book of fiction they had written was considered among the greatest books of all time. This author is Ayn Rand, an emigre from Russia, and leader of the Objectivist movement that struck the United States, starting in the late 1940s. While it may be said that Ayn Rand was merely an author in the Romantic style, her primary focus was introducing readers to her belief in Objectivism and its merits. Her fiction allowed readers to delve deeper into her passion for Objectivism, while her nonfiction explained the way her philosophy worked and how those who cared for Objectivism could apply it in their own lives. As well as explaining her ways, Rand's nonfiction also explained exactly what Objectivism is and what it stands for."

Tags:objectivism, capitalism, philosophy, fountainhead, atlas, shrugged

Abstract
The paper looks at how Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is set some time in the future in the United States, which is experiencing a severe economic depression. The paper describes how businesses are closing down left and right, however, business dealings that continue are conducted in backroom bars and involve manipulation and deceit. The paper relates that "looters" (the government and people who seize property from capitalists) run rampant trading favors for value, with muscle and influence becoming the new form of currency, resulting in the weak profiting at the strong's expense.

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is set some time in the future in the United States, which is experiencing a severe economic depression. Businesses are closing down left and right, however, business dealings that continue are conducted in backroom bars and involve manipulation and deceit."

Tags:atlas, shrugged, socialism

Abstract
This paper studies Ayn Rand's dystopian novel "Anthem". The book is written as the journal of Equality 7 2521, a man struggling with his individuality, his will and his concepts of good and evil. The paper details the book's plot line, which is based on Equality's long and arduous -- though ultimately triumphant -- journey of self discovery. The paper shows how Equality overcame guilt, deprivation, punishment, banishment and betrayal and in the process formulated his own definitions of truth, freedom and love.

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's Anthem is a dystopian story written in the form of a journal kept by Equality 7 2521, a man born to an oppressive, backwards collective state set in a bleak unnamed place and time. This society, whose most recent technological advance is candlelight encourages conformity and drudgery and suppresses individuality and progress. Here, friendship and love, curiosity and creativity, and any display of self will or preference is punishable in the Palace of Corrective Detention. The punishment for swiping candles, alone, is ten years detention. In this world, there is no encouragement or even concept of self. "There is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone." Individuals refer to themselves as "we" and to other individuals as "they." In fact, the word "I," is not known to most, and to speak this word is the worst possible transgression. "There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word.'"

Tags:dystopian, selfishness, conformity, individuality, progress, truth, individualism

Abstract
This paper explains that the book is all about individualism, something that has been termed a hallmark of Rand. The author points out that the book was published posthumously by her student, Leonard Peikoff, and contains a collection of eighteen articles, the majority of which had appeared in "The Ayn Rand Letters". The paper concludes that Rand proved, through this book, that philosophy needs to not impress people, but is something that is very essential to understanding of one's actions and deeds in life.

From the Paper
"Rand spent her 76 years of life preaching fundamentals of reason, truth and freedom and at her funeral; Dr. Piekoff said that she had changed the course of history. She has been subject of some condemnation too by staunch supporters of philosophers whom she argued against. Her Russian identity was linked to her "mind behind the Iron Curtain" and such terms but she has lived through it all, gaining acclamation from virtually all quarters of the U.S.."

Tags:individualism, posthumous, letter, understanding, selfishness

Abstract
The paper outlines Rand's early years under the Communist regime in Russia and looks at how Rand established her prolific career as a screenplay and fiction writer. The paper discusses her ethical point of view of objectivism and explains how Nathaniel Branden, one of her students, promoted her objectivist approach to human life. The paper also discusses Rand's personal relationship with Branden.

Outline:
Early Life and Experiences Under Oppressive Regimes
Major Philosophical Contributions

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand was born Alisa Rosenbaum in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905. A self-taught reader, she aspired to become a fiction writer at a very early age and always modeled herself after European writers like Victor Hugo rather than Russian writers (Rand, Branden, Greenspan, et al., 1986). Rand experienced two Revolutions in Russia while still in high school and her family moved to the Crimea to escape the violence associated with it. Ultimately, her family was left nearly destitute by the confiscation of her father's pharmacy by the Communists after the success of the 1917 Bolshevist Revolution. When she began reading about American history in her final year of high school, she was instantly taken by the benefits of a free society and began aspiring to emigrate to escape Communism in Russia (Rand, Branden, Greenspan, et al., 1986)."

Tags:screenplay, Hollywood, objectivism, Nathaniel, Branden, Einstein, Russell

Abstract
Starts out with a contrast of society's "ideal man" and Rand's man. Explains the influence of her upbringing and Communist Russia on her desired attributes of said man. Details obsession with portraying this man in all her writings. Discusses traits of creator: originator, "black or white" mentality, perfectionist, egoist, selfishness, individualist, atheist, requirement of suffering. Also touches on whether a woman can be an ideal "man", according to Rand's definition, and discusses, briefly, the rape scene.

From the Paper
"If one does a search for "ideal man" on any web-based search engine, the majority of the webpage links returned describe physical qualities or list one of a number of celebrities. A recent survey to compile the most important characteristics returned the following attributes: "The ideal man is taller; athletic/toned build; hairless face and chest; medium butt and lips; blue eyes; short brown straight hair; with piercings - but depends where; and without tattoos" (Purple Tights). Now add just a single word to that search, ?Rand,? and the result changes dramatically. The web pages that are returned are primarily focused on the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of a person. Ayn Rand was obsessed with the "ideal man." In her book The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark, is Rand's vision of this ideal man. While Rand makes good arguments for her view of the idyllic man, there are several characteristics that alienate him from the rest of humanity and make his existence unrealistic, and more likely impossible. She has created an archetype, a superhero of sorts. And every superhero has at least one weakness. Though Rand may not classify them as weaknesses, they definitely affect his ability to interact with the society in which he lives."

Tags:idyllic, gender

Abstract
This brief paper examines the tone of individualism, which is expressed through imagery and word choice in the book, "Anthem," by Ayn Rand. The paper also refers to issues of individualism from everyday life, such as man versus government and man versus society.

From the Paper
"With this dictating system, morals and ethics are recessive qualities that men do not even know exist. Rand expresses the Deep Loss of Moral Rights Imagery through the basic system in which the people live, for they are "one" in all and "all" in one (RAND 19). This explains that there are "no men" but only the great "WE," which ironically happens to be "one" and "indivisible" (RAND 19). Everyone views everyone as a whole: no individualism, conceited perspectives, or even self-pride."

Tags:Golden, One, Uncharted, Forest

From the Paper
"Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged is regarded as the embodiment of her philosophy of Objectivism and as the Bible for this philosophy, a philosophy that has implications for business and for the relationship between society and its institutions. Rand herself considered the novel to be her masterpiece, and it was the largest and last of her novels. The book took nine years to complete, and it was received by critics who either loved or hated it. Many found it to be powerful but still condemned it for the ferocity of its vision.


Rand railed in the novel against what she saw as the loss of personal liberty that marked contemporary society. She saw government as having become hopelessly bureaucratic in nature, with the bureaucracy dedicated to reducing whatever personal liberty was left. The novel takes place in a vaguely defined..."

Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged" which focuses on the obligation of individuals to care for themselves and to ignore demands that they sacrifice themselves for the public good.

From the Paper
"In Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged", steel magnate Hank Rearden says when he is on trial that; "The public good be damned, I will have no part of it." In this single statement much of what constitutes Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is revealed. At its core, Objectivism and the novel as a fictionalized polemic, holds that individuals are not entitled to social welfare, to preferential treatment, to pity, or to any special favors. Rather each man is entitled to use..."

Tags:Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, theme, novel

Abstract
This paper deals with how Ayn Rands? two main characters in her novella, "Anthem", compare to the Greek Gods which they got their names from. It includes detailed information about the myths of Gaea and Prometheus and a general outline of the novella, "Anthem". The paper explains why Ayn Rand chose the names of the two Greek Gods for her characters. The paper includes two pictures of the gods Prometheus and Gaea.

From the Paper
"In her novella, Anthem, Ayn Rand chose the names of two very popular and important Gods from ancient Greek myths for the names of her two main characters, Equality 7-2521 also known as Prometheus or the Unconquered, and Liberty 5-3000, also known as Gaea or the Golden One. Prometheus, the Greek God, was known as "The Rebel God". He was the wisest Titan and the son of Iapetus and Klymene. His name means "forethought", because he was able to foretell the future."

Tags:gaea, prometheus, myths